CBVE Implementation - Strategies & Assistance

Updated July 2025

Using CBVE in your program

When implementing the CBVE Model, it is critical to maintain fidelity to the model to allow evaluation of its effectiveness. According to medical education literature, fidelity of implementation broadly includes the following five core components:

  • clearly articulated outcomes;

  • sequenced progression of learning;

  • tailored learning experiences;

  • competency-focused instruction;

  • programmatic assessment.1

The CBVE Competency Framework provides clearly articulated outcomes for the learner. Milestones describe the expected progression of learners from early training (Pre-Novice 1 and 2) to graduation (Competent) and beyond (Proficient). Tailored learning experiences allow for flexibility in time spent in training, recognizing that learners may not progress at the same rate across all competencies. A learner struggling with a specific competency will take more time to achieve competence. Building in curricular time for additional practice and reassessment (i.e., remediation) is critical to support learner progress. Competency-focused instruction involves teaching to program outcomes and providing feedback to support individual learner progress. Programmatic assessment provides useful feedback to learners by gathering longitudinal data across multiple assessments to support evidence-based decisions on learner progression and achievement of program outcomes. Programmatic assessment is supported by review of critical data with a committee devoted to progress decisions. Faculty development and change management strategies are essential to support the adoption of CBVE.

Over time, fidelity of implementation of the CBVE Model, standardization of assessment forms, and data sharing across institutions will enable evaluation of the CBVE Model and related educational interventions. These efforts, accompanied by scholarly work, will advance the field of veterinary education.

This section provides practical guidelines for helping institutions and faculty implement the CBVE Model as they engage in activities such as the following:

  1. Curriculum mapping and alignment in the curricular review process;

  2. Curriculum redesign;

  3. Opportunities for customization of the CBVE Model;

  4. Assessment in the pre-clinical environment;

  5. Assessment in the workplace;

  6. Remediation

Assistance with CBVE Components

The AAVMC Council on Outcomes-based Veterinary Education (the Council, or COVE) is committed to supporting the adoption and implementation of Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE®) across all areas of the veterinary profession. To maintain the fidelity and effectiveness of the CBVE Model, modifications of the acronym ‘CBVE’ are strongly discouraged, and the use of CBVE is appropriate only when referring to adoption of the AAVMC CBVE Model in its unaltered form. This position is aimed at maintaining clarity and consistency in our terminology related to the CBVE Model.

The Council, via its AAVMC CBVE Outreach Working Group, welcomes requests to assist external stakeholders with the development of additional content that aligns with the CBVE model.  Please click this link to learn more about our policy and procedures:

Policy:

  1. Outreach will assist organizations seeking to fit additional granularity or detail regarding specific topical areas into the CBVE Model (e.g., addition of subcompetencies and associated milestones).  Alterations of the Model or its components will not be supported.

  2. Outreach will maintain involvement at a high level (e.g., assist with development of subcompetencies, not course or session learning outcomes).

    • Outreach will edit and provide guidance for work that has been constructed by the requesting organization.

Procedures:

  1. The Council will provide a response regarding involvement within four weeks of receiving a request

    • Duration of collaboration and time to complete product may vary depending upon the nature of request

  2. Process for support:

    • An initial meeting will be scheduled after Outreach has reviewed the request, to discuss the scope of work and share tools to facilitate successful integration into the CBVE Model

    • Documents will subsequently be circulated via email for review and editing, and support will primarily be delivered via email correspondence.

    • Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed to allow for finalization of the process.

  3. The Council reserves the right to cease support if integration cannot be achieved without alteration to the CBVE Model.

  4. COVE is responsible for final approval of all documents.

 

Approved by COVE June 3, 2025

1. Van Melle E, Frank JR, Holmboe ES, Dagnone D, Stockley D, Sherbino J; International Competency-based Medical Education Collaborators. A Core Components Framework for Evaluating Implementation of Competency-Based Medical Education Programs. Acad Med. 2019 Jul;94(7):1002-1009. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000002743. PMID: 30973365.